Dabo Swinney saved his best interview of the year for after Clemson crushed Alabama

Dabo Swinney is a national champion for the second time in his coaching career.

Swinney’s No. 2 Clemson Tigers destroyed what once seemed like an unstoppable No. 1 Alabama team in the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday at Levi’s Stadium.

While freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence tore Alabama’s secondary apart, the Tigers’ defense kept Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide off the board for the entire second half as they cruised to a 44-16 victory. Clemson finished the season with a perfect 15-0 record — a first in modern college football history.

A lovable goofball who was delighted by his trip out west and seeing his first tumbleweed, Swinney proved, once again, he’s a gracious winner. And he gave his most charming and humble interview after destroying Alabama and handing Saban his worst loss with the Crimson Tide.

Jubilant and stunned, Swinney — who won his first championships with Clemson in the 2016-17 season — said on the field after the game:

“There are so many great coaches that are so deserving of a moment like this and never get the chance to experience it. And to get to do it once and then to get to do it again, it’s a blessing, and it’s just simply the grace of the good Lord to allow us to experience something like this. …

“There ain’t never been a 15-0 team! And I know we’re not supposed to be here. We’re just little ol’ Clemson, and I’m not supposed to be here. But we are, and I am! And how about them Tigers? Man, I’m so proud of our guys, these seniors. We beat Notre Dame and Alabama. We left no doubt, and we walk off this field tonight as the first 15-0 team in college football history.

“And all the credit, all the glory goes to the good Lord, No. 1, and No. 2, to these young people. When you get a young group of people that believe, are passionate, they love each other, they sacrifice, they’re committed to a single purpose, you better look out. Great things can happen and that’s what you saw tonight.”

Swinney cemented himself as one of college football’s greatest coaches with a commanding victory over another powerhouse program. His team was clearly the better squad throughout the whole game, and Lawrence was the best player, he added.

As a true freshman, Lawrence completed 20-of-32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He replaced former starter Kelly Bryant early in the season, and Bryant is now transferring to Missouri. But Swinney said even though he had to make a decision he thought was best for the team, he added: “I love Kelly Bryant and what a great player he is.”

He also praised Alabama, the team he’s played for four straight years in the College Football Playoff, three times now in the title game. Clemson is now even in the playoff series with the Crimson Tide 2-2, and Swinney said of Saban’s group:

“Listen, Alabama — this is the most amazing champion ever, the University of Alabama and what they’ve done and Coach Saban.”

But throughout his postgame interview, maybe still in disbelief, it seemed like the coach sees his team as an underdog and not the perennial championship contender it is.

He continued, speaking to teams and players who envision themselves as underdogs:

“Hey listen, I hope that you get a little hope from us and a little inspiration that hey, if we can do it, anybody can do it. And I mean that. If a guy like me — I said this two years ago — you can’t write a Hollywood script like this. Only God can do this, and that’s a fact. And people may think I’m crazy or quacky or whatever, but only God can orchestrate this. No Hollywood producer can write it.

“But I’m just telling ya, if I can do it, if these Clemson Tigers can do it, hey, anybody can do it if you have a belief in yourself and what you’re doing and you surround yourself with a bunch of great young people that are passionate about winning. And tonight, we conquered a mountain that ain’t ever been conquered. The flag’s on the top. And, man, I just can’t wait to celebrate!”

Dabo Swinney saved his best interview of the year for after Clemson crushed Alabama

“How about them Tigers?!”

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